Elastomeric glazing strip and glazed frame incorporating such strip

ABSTRACT

A novel elastomeric glazing element of extruded form, utilized in the mounting of glass panes and other panels in channeled frame structures. The cross-sectional configuration of the element is such as to provide a pair of hingedly connected clamping and sealing arms, the upper portions of which engage edge margins of the panel to be mounted. One of the sealing arms is provided with an integral panel edge supporting abutment, which provides the entire edge support for the panel. Frame engaging abutments extending outwardly from each of the sealing arms at intermediate points and serve to support the elastomeric element in the frame. When the panel is seated in the elastomeric element and urged into the channel provided therefore in the frame structure, the action of the frame engaging abutments, seating against the frame, serves to close the respective sealing arms tightly on the opposed surfaces of the panel to achieve highly effective clamping and sealing thereof.

United States Patent Van Oss [4 1 Dec. 12,1972

[54] ELASTOMERIC GLAZING STRIP AND GLAZED FRAME INCORPORATING SUCH STRIP Bush ..'..s2/400 FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS 714,124 8/1954 Great Britain." ..52/400 828,278 2/1960 Great Britain ..52/400 Primary Examiner-Alfred C. Perham Attorney-Mandeville and Schweitzer ABSTRACT A novel elastorneric glazing element of extruded form, utilized in the mounting of glass panes and other panels in channeled frame structures. The cross-sectional configuration of the element is such as to provide a pair of hingedly connected clamping and sealing arms, the upper portions of which engage edge margins of the panel to be mounted. One of the sealing arms is provided with an integral panel edge supporting abutment, which provides the entire edge support for the panel. Frame engaging abutments extending outwardly from each of the sealing arms at intermediate points and serve to support the elastomeric element in the frame. When the panel is seated in the elastomeric element and urged into the channel provided therefore in the frame structure, the action of the frame engaging abutments, seating against the frame, serves to close the respective sealing arms tightly on the opposed surfaces of the panel to achieve highly effective, clamping and. sealing thereof.

1 Claim, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEU DEC 12 I972 FIG. I'

INVENTOR. HARRY P. VAN OSS ATTORNEYS 1 ELASTOMERIC GLAZING STRIP AND GLAZED FRAME INCORPORATING SUCH STRIP BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART elements should not only provide resilientsupport for the fragile (usually) panel in the frame structure, but also should provide effective mechanical clamping of the panel and a weather proof seal. In addition to performing these functions, the elastomeric element ideally should be in'expensiveto' produce and quickly and easily installed.

- DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a glazed frame structure, including the elastomeric glazing element of the invention.

FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 are enlarged, fragmentary crosssectional views taken as if along line A-A of FIG. 1 and illustrating in sequential views the manner in which the glazing element of the invention is utilized to seal a panel in a structural frame.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing, the reference numeral designates generally a channelled frame structure, typically of rectangular configuration, in which a rectangular panel 11 is seated by means of an The wide variety of elastomeric sealing elements is available in theprior art. However, the new glazing strip of the present invention has advantages over any of the prior elements of which the applicant is aware because of its ability to achieve a highly reliable sealing and clamping action in a simple manner and with a minimum of effort. Typical prior art glazing elements are reflected in the R. B. Nelson U.S. Pat. No. 2,175,909, A. S. Chesterton U.S. Pat. No. 2,246,409, G. B. Haas U.S. Pat. No. 2,505,893, J. T. Sarvay'U.S. Pat. No. 3,418,773, and the W. I-Ioverman, Jr. U.S. Pat. No. 3,474,586.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a novel and improved elastomeric glazing element is provided which includesa pair of hingedly connected sealing arms which extend from a base portion of the element adapted to be received in the channel of a suitable frame structure. One of the clamping arms is provided with a panel edge supporting abutment, and the entire edge support of the panel is derived from this one abutment the other sealing arm provides no edge support whatever for the panel. Between the base portion and the panel supporting abutment, the sealing arms are provided with outwardly extending frame engaging abutments. When a panel is received between the sealing arms and seated against the supporting abutments, and the frame engaging abutments are in contact with the rigid surfaces of the frame structure, a unique and extremely effective clamping and sealing action is obtained. The principally operative forces acting upon the sealing strip are the pressure exerted in one direction by the panel edge and the opposing pressures exerted in an opposite direction and in straddling relation by the frame against the frame engaging abutments. By reason of the hinged connection between the respective sealing arrns, these forces are able to function efficiently to close the sealing relationship with the edge margins of the panel to be glazed.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description and to the accompanying drawing.

elastomeric glazing element 12. The frame 10 may be constructed of a rigid material, such as metal or concrete, and is provided with a suitable channel 13 extending entirely around the interior of the frame structure. The configuration of the channel 13 is not critical to the invention; however, as a generality, the width of the channel will be substantially in excess of thethickness of the panel 1 1. Thus, in a typical installation, the panel might have a thickness on the order of onefourth inch while the channel width might be on the order of three-fourths of an inch in width. The depth of the channel 13 likewise is not critical, except that it should be sufficient to enable the glazing strip 12 to be fully seated in the channel without being restrained by the bottom of the channel.

Typically, the interior surfaces 14 of the frame are flat and at right angles to the panel 11, at least in the region immediately adjacent to the side walls 15 of the channel. While it is not necessary that the surfaces 14 be flat and perpendicular, as illustrated, there is at least a predetermined relationship between the disposition of these surfaces and the disposition of abutment surfaces on the glazing element, as will appear hereinafter.

The elastomeric glazing element 12 of the invention desirably is of extruded manufacture, typically formed of a neoprene material having a hardness in the range of to durometer. The element is extruded to have a base portion 16 of a size and shape to be readily received within the frame channel 13, and desirably having a relieved central portion 17 forming a hinged connection between the two principal sides of the element. Extending upwardly from the base element are clamping and sealing arms 18, 19. In this respect, references herein to directions as being upward, downward, etc. are made solely with regard to the orientation of the elements illustrated in FIGS. 2-4. These references are merely to facilitate the description of the invention and have no limiting significance.

In accordance with the invention, one of the clamping and sealing arms, in this instance the arm 18, is provided at a point intermediate its upper and lower extremities with a horizontally extending panel edge supporting surface 20, which is disposed generally in the central portion of the elastomeric element. The surface 20, in conjunction with gripping and sealing surfaces 21, and 22 on the arms 18, and 19 respectively, constitutes an upwardly opening panel receiving groove 23 sometimes referred to as a primary recess.

In accordance with the invention, the width of the panel edge supporting surface is at least substantially as wide as the panel 11 is thick, such that the entire edge support for the panel is derived from the single surface 20.

The sealing arm 19 is separated from the sealing arm 18 by means of a secondary recess 24 which extends, in the cross-sectional direction, from a point just above the bottom 16 to a point at least slightly above the panel edge surface 20. As will be apparent in FIG. 2, the recess 24 desirably is disposed at a slight angle, so that its lower extremity is located in the center of the base portion, while its upper extremity is offset to one side of the primary recess 23. In the unstressed condition of the glazing element, as reflected in FIG. 2, the upper end of the secondary recess 24 is in communication with the panel receiving groove 23 at the right hand side of the panel groove. The upper extremity of the sealing arm 19 is offset in the direction of the groove, so as to enable the panel edge supporting surface 20 to extend underneath the sealing surface 22 without resulting in undesirable interference between the recess wall 25 and the wall 26 on the opposite side of the recess.

In the unstressed condition of the sealing element, the width of the primary recess 23 is such as to easily receive the panel 11. The walls 21, 22 of the groove desirably are convergent in an upward direction, so that the uppermost extremities of the clamping and sealing portions will make initial contact with the panel.

The glazing element of the invention includes frame engaging abutments 27, 28 which extend outwardly from the respective sealing arms 18, 19 at a location intermediate the base portion 16 and the panel edge supporting surface 20. In the illustrated element, for example, the abutments 27, 28 may extend outwardly a distance on the order of five-sixteenth of an inch on each side, from a point at which the width of the element is on the order of seven-eighths of an inch, and these abutments may be located about nine-sixteenths of an inch below the panel supporting surface 20. These dimensions, of course, are not in any way limiting, but are merely illustrative of desired dimensional relationships for one embodiment of the invention utilized in the mounting of quarter inch panels.

The frame engaging abutments 27, 28 are provided with lower surfaces 29, 30, respectively which extend outward and downward from upper extremities of the base portion 16. This enables the outer extremities 31, 32 of the abutments to make initial engagement with the frame surfaces 14, for optimum sealing action and enhanced clamping leverage. The outer walls 33, 34 of the sealing arms desirably are upwardly convergent, such that the overall cross sectional configuration of the glazing element tapers convergently upward, at least in its exposed portions.

Referring now to the sequential views of FIGS. 2-4, FIG. 2 illustrates the new glazing element in a generally unstressed condition, with a glass or other panel 11 received in the primary recess 23. FIG. 2 shows the glazing strip partly received in the frame channel 13, with the outer extremities 31, 32 of its frame engaging abutments resting the frame surfaces 14 and the upper the extremities 35, 36 of the sealing arms lightly engaging the walls of the panel 11.

Upon continued downward pressure exerted by the panel 11, the base portion 16 of the glazing element is forced into the channel 13, and the frame engaging abutments 29, 30 are forced into flat relation with the surfaces 14. The combination of the downward force exerted by the panel, generally along the central plane of the glazing element, and the upward forces exerted by the frame on frame engaging abutments 29, 30 in regions spaced well outside the central plane of the element, functions to apply a strong and reliable clamping and closing force upon the respective sealing arms 18 and 19, so that the walls 21, 22 thereof are pressed into tight engagement with the opposing side walls of the panel 11.

Particularly desirable force relationships are achieved in the glazing element of the invention by locating the frame engaging abutments 29, 30 above the hinge point 17 and well below the clamping portions 21, 22 of the sealing arms. Thus, the downwardly directed force imparted by the panel 11 acts generally through the median plane of the glazing element, while the forces operative upon the abutment portions 29,30 act at a substantial distance outward from such median plane. This provides an advantageous leverage action, as will be understood.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the glazing element is fully seated against the frame section 10, the upper portions of the secondary recess 24 are partially closed as a result of the closing and clamping action of the respective sealing arms 18, 19. In this respect, it is a significant advantage of the invention that the panel edge supporting surface 20 provided by the glazing element extends from only one of the clamping arms. This substantially minimizes any interference with effective clamping and sealing of the panel as a result of friction forces acting between the panel edge and the surfaces supporting it.

In some instances, it may be desirable to slightly modifythe clamping action of the glazing element by providing for the upper extremities of the upwardly divergent base portion 16 to have a slightly greater width than the width of the channel 13 in its upper extremities. In general, however, it is preferably to rely upon the cooperative action of the triangular relationship between the supporting surface 20 and the abutment 29 and 30 to develop the forces necessary to provide these desired clamping and sealing action.

As will be appreciated, the glazing element of the invention is very simple to install, yet provides extremely effective sealing action. This effective action is derived in great measure from the above mentioned triangular configuration in conjunction with a pair of freely hinging sealing arms.

It should be understood, of course, that the specific cross sectional configuration herein illustrated and described is intended to be representative only, as certain changes may be made therein without departing from the clear teachings of this disclosure. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following appended claims in determining the full scope of the invention.

Iclaim:

1. An elastomeric glazing element of elongate form, which is shaped and proportioned in its unstressed cross-sectional configuration to comprise a. a base portion having a bottom surface and spaced mentioned wall surface, and forming a second side side wall surfaces extending upward and outward wall of said primary recess, from said bottom surface, f. said primary recess being open at its upper end in b. a pair of downwardly facing abutment surfaces exthe unstressed condition of the element,

tending laterally outward and downward from the 5 g. said sealing arms having opposed, spaced surfaces opposite sides of said base portionat the upper extending generally downward from the level of ends of the side wall surfaces thereof, the bottom of said primary recess and forming opc. means constituting a pair of sealing arms extending P d e al s Of Said seco a y recess,

generally upward from said base portion a d d fi h. the side walls of sald secondary recess being coning between them a primary recess and a eeondal0 nected by material of Said base P0111011 t0 form a ry recess, hinge connection between said sealing arms,

d. one of said sealing arms having an inside wall surh {PP f of Said secohdary fece$ h face extending generally downward from its upper hlcahhg Yvlth the lower h of Sald Pnmary extremity and forming one side wall of said primarecess adlactaht the edge 0f Said supportlhg ry recess and further having a supporting surface face extending from the lower end of said wall surface .I- the h' of said other seahhg arm formlhg a Wall toward the other Sealing armvto form the bottom of said secondary recess being offset from thesurwall f said primary recess, face forming a wall of the primary recess in a e. the other of said sealing arms having an inside wall f to P an Pndercut Fecess adapted to surface extending downward from its upper receiveaportion of said supporting surface. tremity, in generally opposed relation to said first 

1. An elastomeric glazing element of elongate form, which is shaped and proportioned in its unstressed cross-sectional configuration to comprise a. a base portion having a bottom surface and spaced side wall surfaces extending upward and outward from said bottom surface, b. a pair of downwardly facing abutment surfaces extending laterally outward and downward from the opposite sides of said base portion at the upper ends of the side wall surfaces thereof, c. means constituting a pair of sealing arms extending generally upward from said base portion and defining between them a primary recess and a secondary recess, d. one of said sealing arms having an inside wall surface extending generally downward from its upper extremity and forming one side wall of said primary recess and further having a supporting surface extending from the lower end of said wall surface toward the other sealing arm to form the bottom wall of said primary recess, e. the other of said sealing arms having an inside wall surface extending downward from its upper extremity, in generally opposed relation to said first mentioned wall surface, and forming a second side wall of said primary recess, f. said primary recess being open at its upper end in the unstressed condition of the element, g. said sealing arms having opposed, spaced surfaces extending generally downward from the level of the bottom of said primary recess and forming opposed side walls of said secondary recess, h. the side walls of said secondary recess being connected by material of said base portion to form a hinge connection betweeN said sealing arms, i. the upper end of said secondary recess communicating with the lower regions of said primary recess adjacent the edge of said supporting surface, j. the surface of said other sealing arm forming a wall of said secondary recess being offset from the surface forming a wall of the primary recess in a direction to form an undercut recess adapted to receive a portion of said supporting surface. 